College football Top 25 countdown: No. 4 LSU

Updated 1:51 am, Wednesday, August 22, 2012

There are a lot of high hopes surrounding LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, but the sophomore is still a bit of an unknown after seeing limited action last season. Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

There are a lot of high hopes surrounding LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, but the sophomore is still a bit of an unknown after seeing limited action last season. Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Photo: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press

College football Top 25 countdown: No. 4 LSU

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Express-News college football beat writer Tim Griffin is offering a daily look at his choices for the preseason Top 25:

The Tigers' lackluster performance in the BCS national championship game ended what had been a magical season to that point. Since that embarrassing loss to SEC rival Alabama, LSU coach Les Miles said his team has a real hunger to make amends.

This season's squad could be even better, particularly if sophomore quarterback Zach Mettenberger plays as well as anticipated.

Coach: Les Miles, eighth season at school, 75-18 record; 12th season overall, 103-39 career record

Last year: 13-1, 8-0 (first in SEC West), including a 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS championship game. Ranked second in final Associated Press poll, second in final ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll, second in final Sagarin ratings, seventh in schedule strength.

Strengths: The Tigers have playmakers all over the field. Mettenberger should upgrade their quarterback play, and LSU should be motivated after coming so close before last season's closing disappointment.

Weaknesses: For all of the excitement about Mettenberger, he still has never started in a Division I game. He'll be throwing to a talented but inexperienced receiving corps. Only one starting linebacker returns. And how much will the Tigers miss the fiery production of defensive back Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, who was kicked off the team for a violation of team rules earlier this month?

Biggest game: Alabama. Miles hasn't forgotten his team's offensive struggles in the national title game, in which Alabama had as many field goals (five) as the Tigers had first downs. Nick Saban's defense looks nearly as potent as last season, but Mettenberger should add more spark to an LSU offense that notched just three field goals and no touchdowns in two games against Alabama last season.

BCS bound if: Mettenberger juices offensive production, the team plays with a collective edge after last year, and the defense makes up for the loss of Mathieu.

Doomed for December bowl if: Mettenburger struggles in his starting role, and the Tigers' punishing SEC gauntlet finally catches up with them.